Immigrant Rights Clinic

The Immigrant Rights Clinic at the Washington and Lee University School of Law enlists third-year law students to engage in community-based collaboration to further the rights of immigrants in South and Central Virginia. IRC provides resources and direct representation to noncitizens at risk of deportation and provides support and education to our local communities.

IRC has the dual goal of helping student develop the skills, values, and knowledge necessary to succeed in the practice of law, and to address the gap in representation and resources for noncitizens and their allies in the Shenandoah Valley. Past students have represented detained and non-detained noncitizens facing deportation and have assisted noncitizens in obtaining immigration benefits, such as employment authorization, lawful permanent residence, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, asylum, and U-visas. Student attorneys have also provided legal training to community members and developed educational resources for our community partners.

IRC partners with Blue Ridge Legal Services, 50 Ways Rockbridge, Project Horizon, and New Bridges Immigrant Resource Center, and the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights (formerly CAIR Coalition). IRC welcomes new collaborations with organizations and agencies interested in promoting the rights of immigrants in Virginia, in need of resources for non-citizens, or in learning more about immigrants' rights. Interested partners can contact the clinic.